650-acre fire stops traffic on I-5 north of LA

CASTAIC, Calif. 
A brush fire in northern Los Angeles County has quickly grown to 650 acres and shut down Interstate 5 in both directions as 300 firefighters work to get control of the flames.

County Fire Inspector Tony Imbrenda says the blaze was first reported as just three to four acres in Castaic just after 1 p.m. Friday, but has since surged and forced the shutdown of I-5, a key artery in and out of LA for weekend travelers.

The fire was 35 percent contained Friday evening.

Imbrenda says the fire is in a fairly remote and rugged area and there are no structures threatened and winds are tame.

Because of the hilly terrain, much of the firefight has been handled by air with three helicopters making drops.